78
78
Nov 7, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 78
favorite 0
quote 0
most of us seem to recognize it. i don't think the republicans have a sense that their base is shrinking and that they will be reduced to a regional political base if they don't embrace the fact that asians, latinos, any other group you can think of, -- [inaudible] and by the way 14,. [inaudible] my question is what will it take and i'm not in a position to do this but to recognize this demographic shift is not necessarily keeping pace with change? >> back to me again. [laughter] >> republicans on the next panel which is coming up in 10 minutes. ralph reed who has the faith and freedom group will be here as well jim pinkerton and they will be talking about a lot of those republican issues. more republicans than democrats. >> i would just say that, don't forget the majority in congress. the american people, and there still remains a gop majority in the congress. >> let's take one more to add to that. i don't want to confuse radio talkshow hosts with the country at large. radio talkshow hosts get and maintain their aud
most of us seem to recognize it. i don't think the republicans have a sense that their base is shrinking and that they will be reduced to a regional political base if they don't embrace the fact that asians, latinos, any other group you can think of, -- [inaudible] and by the way 14,. [inaudible] my question is what will it take and i'm not in a position to do this but to recognize this demographic shift is not necessarily keeping pace with change? >> back to me again. [laughter] >>...
103
103
Nov 8, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 103
favorite 0
quote 0
can you use the microphone please? >> we've already touched on a lot of these plans already but i was curious if you would be willing to engage in a little wednesday morning quarter backing. and analyze the romney campaign in the answer the question could he have won what could he have done differently? i had the impression that he was narrow in his approach and kept coming back to his business experience in economics and how he could help in that regard but it seemed like he was reluctant to go off in the direction keeping his message very narrow and i just wonder if you are to serve as a consultant what you would have done and if you think over the next weeks and months his campaign is going to be viewed as an abysmal failure because he did things wrong just curious about your reaction to that. >> who wants to take that first? >> the abysmal failure part will be for a lot of people on the right i think it was about as abysmally fielder netz john kerry. it's identical races and the difference between romney losing and
can you use the microphone please? >> we've already touched on a lot of these plans already but i was curious if you would be willing to engage in a little wednesday morning quarter backing. and analyze the romney campaign in the answer the question could he have won what could he have done differently? i had the impression that he was narrow in his approach and kept coming back to his business experience in economics and how he could help in that regard but it seemed like he was...
58
58
Nov 29, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 58
favorite 0
quote 0
this provides us. back in 2008 and 2009 when everybody had the tremendous financial crisis and the collapse in the collapsing of economic output, we steamed ahead in canada with our so- called stimulus program and economic access plan where we identified thousands of projects we wanted to continue. because we wanted to do it quickly, we did shortcuts around regulatory processes. we took a risk. in 19 -- 19 -- 99 put 9% of cases, it made no difference that be made the short cuts. we found smoother processes with in the country. i would hope -- there is nothing like an emergency to tell you whether a process is necessary. >> absolutely. there is another thing that has been important to you that i want to ask you about. that is the detroit bridge. a ballot measure that would require a constitutional amendment failed. why is it important enough to canada that you agreed to pay your share and our share? in terms of individual projects between canada and the united states, it is the biggest economic relation
this provides us. back in 2008 and 2009 when everybody had the tremendous financial crisis and the collapse in the collapsing of economic output, we steamed ahead in canada with our so- called stimulus program and economic access plan where we identified thousands of projects we wanted to continue. because we wanted to do it quickly, we did shortcuts around regulatory processes. we took a risk. in 19 -- 19 -- 99 put 9% of cases, it made no difference that be made the short cuts. we found...
76
76
Nov 9, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 76
favorite 0
quote 0
acupuncture, using meditation, using other techniques to wean him off of all the drugs that he was on, and through this program he actually was able to walk out of walter reed on his own two feet. so, you know, i really commend the military for two things, for one, for allowing us to tell this story, both good and bad, but for recognizing this problem by recognizing that there is this problem of overmedication and that they are looking for outside the box ideas and how to fix it. i mean, that's sort of the whole thesis of the film really, the metaphor of "escape fire" is the status quo isn't working and we need to start looking for outside the box ideas. >> more with matthew heineman, producer and director of "escape fire," the fight to rescue america's health care. sunday night at eight on c-span's q&a. >> live picture from the bipartisan policy center here in washington, d.c., a discussion just getting underway with political analysts and pollsters taking a look at the election numbers and examining a voter turnout and demographics impact of those results. panelists include ron bern
acupuncture, using meditation, using other techniques to wean him off of all the drugs that he was on, and through this program he actually was able to walk out of walter reed on his own two feet. so, you know, i really commend the military for two things, for one, for allowing us to tell this story, both good and bad, but for recognizing this problem by recognizing that there is this problem of overmedication and that they are looking for outside the box ideas and how to fix it. i mean, that's...
166
166
Nov 1, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 166
favorite 0
quote 0
he used the blog, facebook, his friends, he used crowd funding and use it's an interesting space. it's not just about are you going sell a million units? yes, you're going to do some of the stuff. i think square probably gets it made in china. but there are plenty of products and plenty of spaces to be able to create products locally that people want locally. >> the point is also that a lot of barriers entrepreneurship as we've been hearing is getting started. and even if you can't, you know, keep using the tools, if you do have to make a million, that's fibro. we know how to make a million widgets, right? and what's fascinating about this, the barriers to entrepreneurship, you know, not just in the digital realm, but in the physical realm are going away. all right. what would you say to, you know, a lot of manufacturing jobs have gone away and a lot of skilled labor, you know, people are out of job talk about retraining. but it seems to me, if you have an idea, you can -- . >> we talk about this in music how the democratization of the music industry is actually enabled kind of a
he used the blog, facebook, his friends, he used crowd funding and use it's an interesting space. it's not just about are you going sell a million units? yes, you're going to do some of the stuff. i think square probably gets it made in china. but there are plenty of products and plenty of spaces to be able to create products locally that people want locally. >> the point is also that a lot of barriers entrepreneurship as we've been hearing is getting started. and even if you can't, you...
112
112
Nov 8, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 112
favorite 0
quote 0
thank you all of you for joining us. around us applause, please. [applause] >> i want my fiction to be intensely journalistic, intensely journalistic because unless you get out and look at what's going on, these days you're going to miss the things influencing yourself and everybody else. >> yesterday, the national journal has a comprehensive look at the 2012 election results, the impact on congress and executive branch, k street and policy for the next four years. panelists included national journal political staff, pollsters, lobbyist and former congressional leaders. up next, former utah senator, robert bennett, former representative set of six and phil sharpe discuss what lies ahead for the president and congress as they try to tackle the fiscal cliff during the lame-duck session. and following that panel, notable political analyst charlie cook is joined by two pollsters to examine the many polls and surveys prior to and after election day. >> so i will launch rate in. they spent a huge amount of discussion last night and this morning about and
thank you all of you for joining us. around us applause, please. [applause] >> i want my fiction to be intensely journalistic, intensely journalistic because unless you get out and look at what's going on, these days you're going to miss the things influencing yourself and everybody else. >> yesterday, the national journal has a comprehensive look at the 2012 election results, the impact on congress and executive branch, k street and policy for the next four years. panelists...
111
111
Nov 5, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 111
favorite 0
quote 0
that makes us strong. makes us a force to be listened to on a national, international basis. >> moderator: all right. we will move on to our next question. this one is for miss height camp. what do you think the biggest misperception north dak have about you? heitkamp: that i can't swing a bat very well. that is not true. i really was, so funny talking to a woman today, and said her kids were watching a commercial, yeah, right, she really hit those balls. really i did. i batted fourth when i played softball. no, i think the biggest misconception about i always feel people know me. i say for the last certainly six months you've said, you have seen commercials that say you can't trust heidi heitkamp. she won't, she is not who she says she is. and i think most people know that that is not true. for the people who are doubting, i want to tell you that i was given a gift 12 years ago, when i was able to survive stage 3 breast cancer. i was given a gift of life. i was given a gift of every opportunity to serve t
that makes us strong. makes us a force to be listened to on a national, international basis. >> moderator: all right. we will move on to our next question. this one is for miss height camp. what do you think the biggest misperception north dak have about you? heitkamp: that i can't swing a bat very well. that is not true. i really was, so funny talking to a woman today, and said her kids were watching a commercial, yeah, right, she really hit those balls. really i did. i batted fourth...
71
71
Nov 9, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 71
favorite 0
quote 0
he is with us here today. then wattenberg and the late richard scanlan where the first people to look at the interactions of democracy -- demography and public opinion data in their 1970 book, the real majority. they told us how important changing demographics would be to future elections and in this election their pathbreaking insights have been confirmed. latinos were a larger share of the electorate than four years ago and they voted as the issue of the monthly political report shows solidly for president obama. they did as well with hispanics as reagan the outcome of this election would have been different. between the 2,002,010 census, asians were the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country and in this election they also voted heavily for the president. african-americans are a very slow growing demographic group at their turnout did not decline this year and they gave more than 90% of their vote to the president. so while democracy is not destiny, it is certainly important. demographer joel kline ken
he is with us here today. then wattenberg and the late richard scanlan where the first people to look at the interactions of democracy -- demography and public opinion data in their 1970 book, the real majority. they told us how important changing demographics would be to future elections and in this election their pathbreaking insights have been confirmed. latinos were a larger share of the electorate than four years ago and they voted as the issue of the monthly political report shows solidly...
96
96
Nov 6, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 96
favorite 0
quote 0
maybe sharia is used this way. in this particular context, tunisia is a good example of the move from reference to principles to, from inposition of the law, and this is important to us, and just not take it face value. there is a lot of relationship in power in the use of the world. i know it sounds not too realistic in relations, but it matters. we have not paid attention enough to the communication with this part of the world, and so incidents are picking up, you know from decorum, segregation, to -- i would not consider the movie as, you know, something that was passed on u.s. foreign policy, but we have to deal with it, okay? apology is good, but this is, i tell you, very reactive approach. we need to be much more proactive in the way we community kate so what does this mean? if we want to target audiences or actors that can promote a vision of democracy that include not just free and fair elections, but other amendments like a plush rise tick approach to society. we have to change, also, the way we interact a
maybe sharia is used this way. in this particular context, tunisia is a good example of the move from reference to principles to, from inposition of the law, and this is important to us, and just not take it face value. there is a lot of relationship in power in the use of the world. i know it sounds not too realistic in relations, but it matters. we have not paid attention enough to the communication with this part of the world, and so incidents are picking up, you know from decorum,...
60
60
Nov 14, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 60
favorite 0
quote 0
we use to me in the center aisle and i used to talk to people like senator lieberman. you have to give a little to get a little. doesn't wind up getting you in political trouble? yesterday. but that is what this is all about. the president has said himself. he said america deserves better. yes, it does. senator mcconnell has to be engaged. harry reid has to be engaged. maybe it is the fiscal cliff, but we have to act on a lot of serious things and we have to do some of it now and we have to do a lot of it next year. if they do the right thing, that our country will benefit and the legacy will be secure. >> i want to open this up for just a minute. there are a lot of people engaged in this effort -- i would like to hear from some of them. before i do that to my would like to ask you a question about the election results. very close election, striking demographic divides that it reveals about the country. the republican voters look a lot like us. look around this room, it was middle-aged white males. the democratic voters, among asians and among young people and unmarrie
we use to me in the center aisle and i used to talk to people like senator lieberman. you have to give a little to get a little. doesn't wind up getting you in political trouble? yesterday. but that is what this is all about. the president has said himself. he said america deserves better. yes, it does. senator mcconnell has to be engaged. harry reid has to be engaged. maybe it is the fiscal cliff, but we have to act on a lot of serious things and we have to do some of it now and we have to do...
79
79
Nov 27, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 79
favorite 0
quote 0
not us. the senate used to be a nocturnal place because majority leaders of both parties would use the fatigue factor to grind down opposition coming from a few people. we almost never do that. don't get me wrong. i say to my friend i am not defending the way this place has been run the last two years. it has been embarrassing. i have to apologize to my constituents for the way the place is run. we have the same rules in earlier congresses and didn't have the same problem and we have always had a few members on each side who wanted to exercise every one of their rights. i remember when i got here, senator metzenbaum from ohio, would read every bill. he was a big problem. we didn't try to change the rules. we worked this place. and so look, what the majority leader continues to leave out is not only the rule he wants to change but the way he wants to change it. the way he wants to change it. he wants to establish the precedent that 51 senators can change the rules anytime they want to to take
not us. the senate used to be a nocturnal place because majority leaders of both parties would use the fatigue factor to grind down opposition coming from a few people. we almost never do that. don't get me wrong. i say to my friend i am not defending the way this place has been run the last two years. it has been embarrassing. i have to apologize to my constituents for the way the place is run. we have the same rules in earlier congresses and didn't have the same problem and we have always had...
81
81
Nov 9, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 81
favorite 0
quote 0
the sanctions make us stronger. the sanctions make us self-sufficient. he has a long litany describing how the sanctions in effect something ultimately will turn iran into its benefit. now he is is saying the sanctions are brutal and the truth is, they are brutal. you look what is happening in the iranian energy area, not only the fact that they're able to sell, you know, less than 50% of what they were selling before. it is that their production, their output is down from over 4 million barrels a day to 2.6 million barrels a day. part of the reason for that is precisely because of the sanctions, the inability to continue to invest in the energy infrastructure, the inability to continue to pump and store oil as they shut down oil fields that may not be so easy for them to recoup. you look what is happening to the currency, the devaluation. there are some estimates that the currency is being devalued by half every two months. think about what that means. it means that what you're buying, when you go and you buy something it costs you twice as much. it mea
the sanctions make us stronger. the sanctions make us self-sufficient. he has a long litany describing how the sanctions in effect something ultimately will turn iran into its benefit. now he is is saying the sanctions are brutal and the truth is, they are brutal. you look what is happening in the iranian energy area, not only the fact that they're able to sell, you know, less than 50% of what they were selling before. it is that their production, their output is down from over 4 million...
109
109
Nov 19, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 109
favorite 0
quote 0
some of us have been observing us for a long time. we have made many visits and many briefings which are deeply concerning. so i hope that you will, in your assessment, and in your ability to take into consideration seriously our ability to complete the message. that is a stable afghanistan that is able to defend itself over time. frankly, i'm not sure that is the case today. i am not sure if we start drawing down immediately that we may be able to achieve that goal. we have sacrificed a lot, as you know far better than i do. we are going to want to have an assessment as to whether this mission can actually succeed or not. i thank you for your willingness to serve. >> i thank you, senator mccain. >> senator? >> yes, i would like to begin by expressing my confidence in general bumpers, in every sense of the word, his integrity and his respect. the greatest award in the marine corps for leadership is to give someone command. the general has commanded battalions and regiments and he was commanding general of the first expeditionary force
some of us have been observing us for a long time. we have made many visits and many briefings which are deeply concerning. so i hope that you will, in your assessment, and in your ability to take into consideration seriously our ability to complete the message. that is a stable afghanistan that is able to defend itself over time. frankly, i'm not sure that is the case today. i am not sure if we start drawing down immediately that we may be able to achieve that goal. we have sacrificed a lot,...
238
238
Nov 28, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 238
favorite 0
quote 0
the chaplain: let us pray. let us pray. father of all, out of the noisy world, we come to this quiet place of prayer. we depend on your goodness, your mercy and grace. as our lawmakers face the challenges of their calling, inspire them to have a mature faith in your providential leading. lord, fill them with your spirit so that they will acknowledge their dependence on you for every breath they breathe and every creative thought they think. may today be for them a buildi g block for making america a nation that glorifies you. we pray in your great name, amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c, november 28, 2012. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the s
the chaplain: let us pray. let us pray. father of all, out of the noisy world, we come to this quiet place of prayer. we depend on your goodness, your mercy and grace. as our lawmakers face the challenges of their calling, inspire them to have a mature faith in your providential leading. lord, fill them with your spirit so that they will acknowledge their dependence on you for every breath they breathe and every creative thought they think. may today be for them a buildi g block for making...
121
121
Nov 14, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 121
favorite 0
quote 1
give us that. we could target and transform the program to make certain those go to the most needy, not those that are able to game the system. would have how those type of reforms the iphone offering the amendment on the floor to start the process, but if are going to do a farm bill should include fundamental discussion on bases we can improve. for people with changing the program and we hear tremendous suggestions again from multiple states, folks on the front lines in saying this is what we need, we can do a better job. if we have that opportunity, we can work to fargo, that will be part of that discussion. like any other entitlements that is coming from this administration, yeah, we can spend $80 billion a year and we don't want to reform the. this administration says they don't want to reform the, the senate republicans have done a great job but hopefully that will be a battle if and when we get to conference over what's in the bill, which is $800 billion for food stamps out of a trillion doll
give us that. we could target and transform the program to make certain those go to the most needy, not those that are able to game the system. would have how those type of reforms the iphone offering the amendment on the floor to start the process, but if are going to do a farm bill should include fundamental discussion on bases we can improve. for people with changing the program and we hear tremendous suggestions again from multiple states, folks on the front lines in saying this is what we...
89
89
Nov 27, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 89
favorite 0
quote 0
that's a great way for us to use philanthropic resources. i think the more activity like that, fund philanthropy, that can be kind of consistent with what the government is trying to do in terms of driving more innovation, more quality but take some of the burden off, special a early stage actors, like eric and learnzillion and many others out there that really terrific early stage product. they need more access to markets and customers, but they also need ways to not have to break themselves producing the kind of information, particularly in this idiosyncratic fragmented way we like to define performance. so more common ways of getting evaluations running across multiple products with multiple demand-side actors, multiple users and buyers in ways that are pretty public and get that information out there transparently, and push their lots of different channels. so not only do the market signals about what's necessary or what's needed it clear for vendors and for innovators, but the way in which you think about what performance actually is. i
that's a great way for us to use philanthropic resources. i think the more activity like that, fund philanthropy, that can be kind of consistent with what the government is trying to do in terms of driving more innovation, more quality but take some of the burden off, special a early stage actors, like eric and learnzillion and many others out there that really terrific early stage product. they need more access to markets and customers, but they also need ways to not have to break themselves...
117
117
Nov 5, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 117
favorite 0
quote 0
us, that's one thing. and i think also the rhetoric of attack and divide and class warfare which my, the incumbent senator frequently entertains, is not productive to bring people across the aisle to work together. so i would focus on issues of importance to the country, and i think evidence of it is that the debt is one of them. all we have to look at is the simpson-bowles commission which was made up of members of both parties. clearly, that's an issue where agreement that it's a serious issue, and it must be addressed. second, you must stop having people go to washington who immediately go down there and try to get reelected and forget about the public interest for their own interest. and that's why i have said that if elected, i would serve one term. >> moderator: mr. moss? moss: i couldn't agree more with mr. macgovern. in fact, i remind the audience that my first of ten proposed bills is single term of office to replace professional career politicians. the gridlock is make believe to lead the people
us, that's one thing. and i think also the rhetoric of attack and divide and class warfare which my, the incumbent senator frequently entertains, is not productive to bring people across the aisle to work together. so i would focus on issues of importance to the country, and i think evidence of it is that the debt is one of them. all we have to look at is the simpson-bowles commission which was made up of members of both parties. clearly, that's an issue where agreement that it's a serious...
97
97
Nov 28, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 97
favorite 0
quote 0
which, by the way, uses 93% of the energy that's used by the federal government, which is the largest user of energy in this country. as our current chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general dempsey, has said, without improving our energy security we are not merely standing still as a nation, we are falling behind. let's be clear. energy security is national security. and our military leadership understands this. other countries, including some of our strongest competitors, also understand this and we ignore this fact at our own peril. i saw some of the innovations that the navy has adopted earlier this year when i chaired a hearing for the energy subcommittee on water and power down in norfolk aboard the uss kersarge. the purpose was to highlight the advancements the navy continues to make in harnessing renewable energy resources. up with of those resources i saw is homegrown -- homegrown biofuels. and the navy recently demonstrated the capability of advanced biofuels during massive exercise that featured a carrier strike group, was highlighted by an f-18 traveling twice the spe
which, by the way, uses 93% of the energy that's used by the federal government, which is the largest user of energy in this country. as our current chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general dempsey, has said, without improving our energy security we are not merely standing still as a nation, we are falling behind. let's be clear. energy security is national security. and our military leadership understands this. other countries, including some of our strongest competitors, also understand...
46
46
Nov 29, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 46
favorite 0
quote 0
both of which concern all of us. i have been working with the administration to ensure that those detention policies are not harmfullharmful interpreted. but the law itself remains a problem. several of my colleagues including the senator from kentucky and senator feinstein have suggested changes to the law that will help repair the flawed policies enacted last year. i've also crafted my own legislation working with the ranking member on the house armed services committee, congressman adam smith from washington, to repair some of the harm that i believe was done in last year's ndaa. i've filed that bill to this year's ndaa as amendment 3115, along with the chairman of the senate judiciary committee, senator leahy. inow, senators feinstein and pal have a similar but slightly different approach to resolving the problems created by the detainee provisions passed last year. their there are efforts under way to ensure that whatever passage we take is supported by the greatest number of members possible and i look forward
both of which concern all of us. i have been working with the administration to ensure that those detention policies are not harmfullharmful interpreted. but the law itself remains a problem. several of my colleagues including the senator from kentucky and senator feinstein have suggested changes to the law that will help repair the flawed policies enacted last year. i've also crafted my own legislation working with the ranking member on the house armed services committee, congressman adam...
64
64
Nov 15, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 64
favorite 0
quote 0
and those of us in the south who have a history where poll taxes were used to restrict voters, what you, in effect, have by having these extensive lines, if you are -- work on an hourly basis or can only get off a bit of time and -- you can't afford to wait three and four and five hours in line to vote. this legislation, the fair, accurate, secure and timely voting act of 2012, the so-called fast act, creates a competitive grant program to encourage states to aggressively pursue election reforms. it would provide incentives for states like virginia to invest in practices and technology designed to expedite voting at the polls and simplify voter registration. the fast voting act addresses this issue in a responsible way. it doesn't add new mandates. it authorizes simply additional resources for those states which start up -- step up with commonsense reforms to make voting faster and more accessible to voters. this is a relatively very small program but a few dollars spent to both increase the process, increase the number of voting machines at those polling places that are so restricted w
and those of us in the south who have a history where poll taxes were used to restrict voters, what you, in effect, have by having these extensive lines, if you are -- work on an hourly basis or can only get off a bit of time and -- you can't afford to wait three and four and five hours in line to vote. this legislation, the fair, accurate, secure and timely voting act of 2012, the so-called fast act, creates a competitive grant program to encourage states to aggressively pursue election...
49
49
Nov 15, 2012
11/12
by
CSPAN2
tv
eye 49
favorite 0
quote 0
the chaplain: let us pray. eternal lord god, today let your favor rest upon the members of our government's legislative branch. establish the works of their hands and strengthen them to honor you by serving others. let your life-giving spirit move them to feel greater compassion for those in need. use them to remove barriers that divide us, may they strive to be agents of healing and hope, as they help us all live in greater justice and peace. we pray in your holy name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c., november 15, 2012. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable richard blumenthal, a senator fr
the chaplain: let us pray. eternal lord god, today let your favor rest upon the members of our government's legislative branch. establish the works of their hands and strengthen them to honor you by serving others. let your life-giving spirit move them to feel greater compassion for those in need. use them to remove barriers that divide us, may they strive to be agents of healing and hope, as they help us all live in greater justice and peace. we pray in your holy name. amen. the presiding...